Laser activated audible signal emitting leveler

ABSTRACT

This invention pertains to the leveling device applying the optical interaction between a laser beam and a freely floating air bubble confined in a transparent, liquid-filled vial. When the air bubble is impacted by the laser beam, the curved surface of the air-bubble deflects the beam toward the end of the vial, where a photo-electric device is positioned. The photo-electric device activates a sound emitter such as a buzzer. The function of the level being based on the optical interaction between a laser beam and the curvature of an air-bubble, it is highly accurate and consistent. It is applicable for vertical and horizontal settings, has an adjustable arm for secure attachment to structural frames or other objects. No direct eye and manual contact with the device is needed while in operation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The accuracy and consistency of the conventional vial and air-bubble type levels are recognized in the industry. Known operational inconveniences are the necessity for direct eye contact, and the manual holding of the level during operation. Both the direct eye contact and the manual holding requires the physical closeness of the operator to the level. The direct eye contact also requires adequate lighting.

This invention eliminates these restrictive features by generating an audible signal when the level is in exact horizontal or vertical position, thus freeing the operator from maintaining direct eye contact with the level. The emitted sound signal also allows the use of the level in dim lighting conditions. The attachment arm eliminates the need for manually holding the level against the structural frame.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The accuracy, reliability and simplicity of the conventional air-bubble type levels are recognized in the industry. In their use the levels are laid on flat horizontal surfaces, or are hand-held against upright frames and walls. Their angular position is being indicated by the location of the air-bubbles in the vials, therefore, direct eye contact with the devices is necessary. Leveling devices having liquid-filled vials as level indicators and laser beam emitters to project straight lines or reference marking points have been in use for several years. However, in such devices there is no direct functional interaction between the vials and the laser beam emitters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of this invention is easing the work in setting up structures, structural frames of other objects, eliminating the need for direct eye contact with the leveling device, and freeing the hands from holding the device. These aims are achieved with the integration of; (a) conventional liquid filled transparent tubular vials containing a freely floating air-bubble, (b) laser beam emitters, (c) photo-electric devices, such as a photo-electric cells, (d) sound emitters, such as buzzers. With an audible signal the operator can concentrate on setting up structural frames or walls without direct eye contact with the leveling device. It also enables the operator to work under dim lighting conditions. By securing the device to the frame or wall with the adjustable attachment arm, both hands remain free. With the immediate and accurate response of the leveling device, checking the verticality or horizontality of already set up structures can also be done quickly and easily.

The laser beam is directed externally and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vial at or near its mid-section. When the air-bubble is at the impact point of the laser beam, its curvature deflects the impacting laser beam toward the end of the tubular vial. The deflected laser beam is sensed by a photo-electric device, such as a photo-electric cell, mounted at or near the end of the vial. The photo-electric device can also be mounted at other locations where the deflected laser beam impacts. When impacted by the deflected laser beam the photo-electric device closes the circuit between a power source, such as battery and a sound emitter, activating it to emit an audible signal.

The deflection of the laser beam being an optical function of the curvature of the freely-floating air-bubble, it occurs consistently and exactly at the same position of the air-bubble, thereby assuring exact signaling of the horizontal or vertical positions of the leveling device. When the air-bubble is not at the laser beam's impact point, the laser beam is directed by the vial away from the photo-electric device in a straight line projection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vial.

The functional principles of the invented leveling device can be applied to horizontal, vertical, as well as to any other angular settings. As references, conventional air-bubble type vials are also included in the device, although those are not functional parts of the laser activation. Through its novel functional principle the leveling device can provide high degree of accuracy and durability. Not having moving parts, wear and mechanical malfunction are excluded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Cross-sectional side view of the device.

FIG. 2. Side view of the assembly blocks

FIG. 3. Side view of the device with the attachment arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The device shown on FIG. 1 comprises a rectangular tubular casing (1). It contains two adjustable assembly blocks (2)(3), FIG. 2, each block incorporating a laser beam emitter (4), a liquid-filled transparent tubular vial containing a freely floating air-bubble (5), a photo-electric device, such as a photo-electric cell (6), and a sound emitter, such as a buzzer (7). In the illustration the photo-electric devices (6) are mounted at the end of the vials (5). It is, however, understood that they can be mounted at other locations within the blocks where the deflected laser beam impacts. One of the assembly blocks (2) is mounted having the longitudinal axis of the vial parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular casing (1). This block is to signal the horizontality of the leveling device. The other assembly block (3) is mounted such that the longitudinal axis of the vial is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular casing (1). This assembly block is to signal the verticality of the leveling device. Fine adjustment screws (8) are included to set the assembly blocks (2)(3) for exact parallel and vertical positions of the vials (5) relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular casing (1). End-caps (9) are inserted in the casing for holding batteries (10) supplying power for both assembly blocks. Power switch (14) is activated when the tubular level casing is laid against the frame or wall to be set, closing the electric circuit between the batteries (10) and the assembly blocks (2)(3). Two conventional air-bubble vials (11)(12) are also mounted in the tubular casing as references for horizontal and vertical settings. These vials are not functional parts of the laser beam activated components.

The adjustable attachment arm (13) shown on FIG. 3, is pivotally mounted at or near the mid section of the tubular casing. It is extendible for the installation of the level on frames or other objects with varying dimensions.

It is to be understood, that although the functional principles and the preferred embodiment of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the device, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made without departing from the novel principles of the invention, and such changes still fall within the scope of the invention. 

1. The leveling device operating on the application of the optical interaction between a laser beam and a freely floating air-bubble confined in a liquid-filled transparent tubular vial, said laser beam being directed externally and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tubular vial at or near its mid-section, when said air-bubble is at the impact point of said laser beam, its curved surface deflects the laser beam toward the end of the vial, the deflected (portion of said) laser beam activates a suitably positioned photo-electric device, said activated photo-electric device closes the electric circuits between a power source and a sound emitter, producing an audible signal.
 2. The leveling device of claim 1 comprising: a longitudinally extending tubular casing, said tubular casing containing two adjustably mounted assembly blocks, both of said assembly blocks comprising a laser beam emitter, a transparent tubular vial filled with liquid and containing a freely floating air-bubble, a photo-electric device, a sound emitter, of claim 1, said tubular casing also containing batteries to power the laser beam emitter and the sound emitter, an electric switch closing the electric circuits between said assembly blocks and said batteries when said leveling device is in direct contact with a structural frame or other object.
 3. One of said adjustably mounted assembly blocks of claim 2 being installed in said tubular casing having the longitudinal axis of said transparent tubular vial substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tubular casing, said assembly block is to signal the horizontality of said leveling device, the other of said adjustably mounted assembly blocks being installed in said tubular casing having the longitudinal axis of said transparent tubular vial substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tubular casing, said assembly block is to signal the verticality of said leveling device, said assembly blocks of claim 2 having fine adjustment means for the exact angular positioning of the transparent vials relative to the longitudinal axis of said tubular casing.
 4. The leveling device of claim 1, having an adjustable attachment arm for holding the leveling device securely attached to structural frames or other objects. 